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Background <p>The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on household food security among urban populations has been widely reported. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity during the pandemic in vulnerable communities in the Northern region of Ghana.</p> Methods <p>Our cross-sectional mixed-methods study comprised 300 caregivers from 16 impoverished communities in Tamale Metropolitan and Sagnarigu Districts. Household food security was evaluated using the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Insecurity Experience Scale Survey Module.</p> Results <p>About one-third (34%) of the participants were biological parents; the average age was 32.74 ± 9.43, and 41% graduated from senior high school (12th grade). The median household size was 12 people with six children. During the pandemic, the majority (93%) of respondents reported a decline in monthly household income, with 76% reporting a reduction in their primary source of income. Participants reported high levels of perceived social support (mean = 44.79 ± 7.88). Nearly half of households (47%) experienced severe food insecurity, and 35% reported moderate food insecurity. Households with stable or increased monthly income had lower odds of severe food insecurity than households with lower monthly incomes (AOR = 0.374, 95% CI: 0.160–0.875), while respondents with education beyond 12th grade were significantly less likely to experience severe food insecurity than those with 12th grade or less education (AOR = 0.481, 95% CI: 0.257–0.898).</p> Conclusions <p>Our results indicate high levels of food insecurity alongside reported declines in household income during this period. The study suggests that education and financial stability may be protective factors against food insecurity during a pandemic, as both were associated with a lower likelihood of severe food insecurity. Overall, the findings suggest that policies and interventions aimed at improving educational access and supporting household financial stability may be relevant for addressing food insecurity during public health crises.</p>

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COVID-19 and Household Food Security: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Families in the Northern Region of Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月1日

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  • Adolphina Addoley Addo-Lartey,
  • Ozge Sensoy Bahar,
  • Abdallah Ibrahim,
  • Joshua Kiyingi,
  • Alice Boateng,
  • Fred Norviemedey,
  • Kingsley Kumbelim

摘要

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on household food security among urban populations has been widely reported. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity during the pandemic in vulnerable communities in the Northern region of Ghana.

Methods

Our cross-sectional mixed-methods study comprised 300 caregivers from 16 impoverished communities in Tamale Metropolitan and Sagnarigu Districts. Household food security was evaluated using the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Insecurity Experience Scale Survey Module.

Results

About one-third (34%) of the participants were biological parents; the average age was 32.74 ± 9.43, and 41% graduated from senior high school (12th grade). The median household size was 12 people with six children. During the pandemic, the majority (93%) of respondents reported a decline in monthly household income, with 76% reporting a reduction in their primary source of income. Participants reported high levels of perceived social support (mean = 44.79 ± 7.88). Nearly half of households (47%) experienced severe food insecurity, and 35% reported moderate food insecurity. Households with stable or increased monthly income had lower odds of severe food insecurity than households with lower monthly incomes (AOR = 0.374, 95% CI: 0.160–0.875), while respondents with education beyond 12th grade were significantly less likely to experience severe food insecurity than those with 12th grade or less education (AOR = 0.481, 95% CI: 0.257–0.898).

Conclusions

Our results indicate high levels of food insecurity alongside reported declines in household income during this period. The study suggests that education and financial stability may be protective factors against food insecurity during a pandemic, as both were associated with a lower likelihood of severe food insecurity. Overall, the findings suggest that policies and interventions aimed at improving educational access and supporting household financial stability may be relevant for addressing food insecurity during public health crises.